The Morning of Life
1860
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1860
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white print shows a quiet forest scene at dawn. A woman sits by a stream, bending over a basket of fruit or flowers. Nearby, a man stands with his back to us, holding a walking stick. Birds perch on branches above, and the trees are thick with leaves. The artist used fine lines to show light filtering through the leaves, making the scene feel peaceful. This is an etching, which means the image was carved into metal and printed. Look up etching to see how artists create these detailed prints.
